Confidential
Wabash, Sunday, 27 Oct.
My Dear Sir
Mr. B. arrived yesterday — an important acquisition I think —
though I trust no one man is indispensable to our success, yet he was
necessary and I fancy the Generals required him much more than myself.
I fired up soon after his arrival, but the wind coming in
E./S. with heavy swell it was impossible to go with any safety to tug and Ferry
boats and to-day it is blowing a gale. I trust in God we shall be able to get
out to-morrow, though not a moment has been thrown away so far, as to making up
for defects and deficiencies and the discovery of others. To-day the QrMaster
has been to report that but 5 of the transports have condensers and we have
another panic on the water supply. It has led to an order for 200,000 gallons
at Balto to follow us. It is not quite all to have water — to be
able to get at it and pump it out and send it away should be looked to if
possible. If a small tank could come in some way, and an engine to pump it out,
it would pay for itself.
The organization of crews &c made by Mr. Morgan for
ferry boats had to be remodelled upon a plan similar to Ellen & Whitehall.
I will send you the reg. appointments which I will make out on my way down the
Coast.
Every body is much disturbed here by the publication of the
expedition &c in the New York Times of yesterday — under the villanous
assumption that we had sailed. Of course it is all going over the Southern
wires by this time and may add some four or five thousand lives to the list of
casualties, but what does the Times care for that if it can be in advance of
rival sheets!
Give my best compliments to Mr. Welles and tell him not to
allow others to worry him at any apparent delay. We have lost nothing
yet but have gained in efficiency — But little over three weeks since we
commenced, see how long the Vera Cruz Expedition took. All will go right I am
sure, and Mr. B. tells me November is the month and not October as I
thought, for operations. The moon is coming right too, to help us with the
tides and B says positively this ship can get in. I am altogether thankful and
do not fret a bit.
Faithfully and thankfully
Yr friend
S. F. DuPONT
Cap Fox
Ass. Sec Navy
Washington
Susquehanna breaking down renders Bienville very necessary.
Until expeditions are through neither you nor Mr. Welles must reply long
letters.
SOURCE: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright,
Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential
Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865,
Volume 1, p. 60-1
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